[Greek] ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō), [Latin] adsumere, [Latin] suscipere, [Latin] recipere, [Latin] accipere: to take up, to receive, to take in, to bring along, to carry, and to raise; Mk.16:19, Acts 1:2,11,22, Acts 7:43, Acts 20:13-14, Acts 23:31, Eph.6:13,16, 1Tim.3:16, 2Tim.4:11
Assumption of the Virgin: painting by Annibale Carracci (1590). Aug 15 is the Solemnity of the Feast of the Assumption
Background information:
“When now she would be called from the world, all the Apostles came together from their various regions to her house. And when they had heard that she was about to be taken from the world, they kept watch together with her. And behold, the Lord Jesus came with His angels, and taking her soul, He gave it to the angel Michael and withdrew. At daybreak, however, the Apostles took up her body on a bier and placed it in a tomb; they guarded it, expecting the Lord to come. And behold, the Lord stood by them; and the holy body having been received, he commanded that it be taken in a cloud into paradise; where now, rejoined to the soul, Mary rejoices with the Lord’s chosen ones, and is in the enjoyment of the good of an eternity that will never end.” St. Ambrose
Greek Hellenism: This term means to take up, to lift up, to take upon oneself, to take on board, to suspend, to examine, to receive, to engage in, to adopt, to recover, to make good, to repair, to collect oneself, to resume, to rein in and to conquer.
Herodotus’ The Histories: “Took the child in.”
Herodotus’ The Histories: Take up our equipment and change places.”
Plato’s Apology 22b: “Taking up the poems of theirs.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian Wars 6.89: “I am forced to speak to you.”
Plutarch’s Agesilaus 20” That they might learn the fairest of all lessons.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 3.73: “A better chance to win back the kingship.”
Plato’s Meno 85d: “This recovery of knowledge.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 7.231: “He made up for all the blame brought against him.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 6.5.21: “Brought the state some relief.”
Herodotus’ The Histories: “Return to the story I began to tell.”
Old Testament: This means to gird oneself, to take (many uses), to lift, to bear up, to impose, to carry a load, to pass, to remove to go up, to appoint, and to set. Few on earth have been made the equal of Enoch, for he was taken up bodily (Sir. 49:14). Take your flocks, too and your herds (Exo.12:32). You will carry away Sakkuth, your king and Kaiwan, your star god (Amo.5:26). A flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (4 Kgs.2:11). Receive instruction from his mouth (Job 22:22).
New Testament: This term means to take up (being taken up), to build up, to take on board (a ship), to put on armor, and to bring along. As Jesus ends his physical mission on earth, He is taken up into heaven by His own power. He gives instructions for the apostles to receive the promise (Holy Spirit) of the Father. Stephen points out that the Jews’ ancestors had built up the idols of Moloch and Rephan. Paul likens the Christian to a soldier preparing for battle against the evil powers. Paul suggests bringing along Mark, who has been helpful in his ministry.
Scripture:
“So then the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them was taken up into heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God.” Mk.16:19
Jesus is raised up by His own powers. A cloud later obscures Him from view of the apostles.
“This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky.” Acts 10:16
Peter’s vision of the sheet prepares him to share the food of the Gentile Cornelius. With this Peter will declare that all foods are clean.
“Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.” Eph.6:13
Paul likens the Christian as a soldier who needs to ready and prepared to battle the forces of evil. One is also called to hold faith as a shield.
Assumption of Mary: This is a major Catholic feast day celebrated on August 15. The Church teaches as dogma that the Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. This doctrine was defined ex cathedra (from the chair) by Pope Pius XII on Nov. 1 1950. The Easter Catholics and Eastern Orthodox celebrate the Dormiton (falling asleep) of the Mother of God. The phrase “having completed the course of her earthly life” leaves open the question of whether or not or when she died (slept).
Etymology: The Latin recipe means take. In Medieval Latin, the Latin assumption meant a taking up into heaven. It is significant to note that the Catholic belief existed and prevailed long before an explicit papal declaration. In later Latin, assumptio means a taking up or an adoption. A suspect is one you look up at.
Conclusion:
Assumption, assume, suspicion, suspect, receive, receipt, recipe, accept
In Greek Hellenism, it was very interesting to discover the many meanings for this term. So it is not surprising that the word “take” can take on many meanings. Some examples still can apply to current times. Plato considers this poem when he takes it up. Thucydides mentions one taking upon himself to respond to a prejudice. Herodotus makes reference to making up for some blame. Euripides makes mention about willing to redress a wrong. Plutarch mentions learning by rote. Plato mentions that recollection is essentially recovery of knowledge.
In the Old Testament, this term is used extensively with many meanings. Enoch was taken up bodily into heaven. Elijah was taken up by a flaming chariot. Some had set up idols in pagan worship. The notion of taking up can convey many ideas (wife, burden, illness, struggles, hand).
In the New Testament, this term applies to Jesus with his Ascension. The Christian is called to take on “battle armor” in fighting against evil powers.
There is no mention of the Assumption of Mary in scripture. However, Mary’s role becomes important in an eschatological sense. In Gen. 3:15, Mary will become the woman who will battle the serpent. The Assumption sets the stage for Mary’s entry into her prominent place in heaven. A pope, speaking ex cathedra on important issues of faith and morals, speak with infallibility. When a pope makes an infallible statement, he is prevented from teaching error (by the power of the Holy Spirit).
I wanted to take this opportunity to honor Mary.